Power generation from vehicle wheel rotation

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/332,824, filed May 27, 2021, which claims benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/164,474, filedMar. 22, 2021, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/141,518, filed Jan. 5, 2021, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/847,538,filed Apr. 13, 2020, which claims benefit of priority and is related toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/858,902, filed Jun. 7, 2019,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/883,523, filed Aug. 6, 2019,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/967,406, filed Jan. 29,2020. This application claims benefit of priority and is related to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/140,805, filed Jan. 23, 2021. Thedisclosure of each of the aforementioned applications is incorporatedherein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to generating and providingenergy for a vehicle powered, at least in part, by electricity, and morespecifically, to generating and conveying the energy to the vehiclewhile the vehicle is mobile.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles derive locomotion power from electricity oftenreceived from an energy storage device within the electric vehicle.Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are often proposed to have an energystorage/containment device, such as a battery, that is charged throughsome type of wired or wireless connection at one or more stationarylocations, for example household or commercial supply sources. The wiredcharging connections require cables or other similar connectorsphysically connected to a stationary power supply. The wireless chargingconnections require antenna(s) or other similar structures wirelesslyconnected to a power supply that generates a wireless field via its ownantenna(s). However, such wired and wireless stationary charging systemsmay be inconvenient or cumbersome and have other drawbacks, such asdegradation during energy transference, inefficiencies or losses,requiring a specific location for charging, and so forth. As such,alternatives for stationary wired or wireless charging systems andmethods that efficiently and safely transfer energy for chargingelectric vehicles are desirable.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of systems, methods and devices within the scope ofthe appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of which issolely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein.Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, the description belowdescribes some prominent features.

Details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described inthis specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will becomeapparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note thatrelative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for generating energy inresponse to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may comprise: afirst roller which may comprise a curved roller surface configured to bepositioned in substantial physical contact with a curved wheel surfaceof a first wheel of the vehicle, and wherein the first roller may beconfigured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel; afirst shaft coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the firstroller can cause the first shaft to rotate; and a first generatoroperably coupled to the first shaft and which may be configured to:generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft;and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to amotor of the vehicle that can convert electrical energy to mechanicalenergy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

In some implementations, the apparatus can comprise a second rollerwhich can comprise a curved roller surface which can be configured to bepositioned in substantial physical contact with the curved wheel surfaceof the first wheel. The second roller can be configured to rotate inresponse to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus can comprise asecond shaft coupled to the second roller such that rotation of thesecond roller can cause the second shaft to rotate. The first generatorcan be operably coupled to the second shaft and can be configured togenerate an electrical output based on the rotation of the second shaft.

In some implementations, the apparatus can comprise a second roller thatcan comprise a curved roller surface configured to make substantialphysical contact with the curved wheel surface of the first wheel of thevehicle. The second roller can be configured to rotate in response to arotation of the first wheel. The apparatus can comprise: a second shaftcoupled to the second roller such that rotation of the second roller cancause the second shaft to rotate; and a second generator operablycoupled to the second shaft and that can be configured to: generate anelectrical output based on the rotation of the second shaft; and conveythe electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of thevehicle that can convert electrical energy to mechanical energy torotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

In some implementations, the apparatus can comprise a second roller thatcan comprise: a curved roller surface configured to be positioned insubstantial physical contact with a curved wheel surface of a secondwheel of the vehicle and wherein the second roller can be configured torotate in response to a rotation of the second wheel; and a second shaftthat can be coupled to the second roller such that rotation of thesecond roller can cause the second shaft to rotate. The first generatorcan be operably coupled to the second shaft and can be configured togenerate an electrical output based on the rotation of the second shaft.

In some implementations, the apparatus can comprise: a second rollerthat can comprise a curved roller surface that can be configured to bepositioned in substantial physical contact with a curved wheel surfaceof a second wheel of the vehicle. The second roller can be configured torotate in response to a rotation of the second wheel. The apparatus cancomprise: a second shaft that can be coupled to the second roller suchthat rotation of the second roller can cause the second shaft to rotate;and a second generator that can be operably coupled to the second shaftand that can be configured to: generate an electrical output based onthe rotation of the second shaft; and convey the electrical output to anenergy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that can convertelectrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels ofthe vehicle.

In some implementations, the first roller can be configured to changediameter such that the first roller can be configured to rotate at oneor more rotational velocities in response to a rotational velocity ofthe first wheel.

In some implementations, the first roller can be configured to change arotational inertia.

In some implementations, the apparatus can exist in one of (1) anengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel can cause thefirst shaft to rotate to cause the generator to generate an electricaloutput and (2) a disengaged state in which the rotation of the firstwheel may not cause the first shaft to rotate.

In some implementations, the apparatus can be configured to transitionbetween the engaged state and the disengaged state automatically based,at least in part, in response to an energy demand of the motor of thevehicle or a rotational velocity of the first wheel.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for generating energy inresponse to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus can comprise: afirst roller that can comprise a curved roller surface and that can beconfigured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with asidewall surface of a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller canbe configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel.The apparatus can comprise: a first shaft that can be coupled to thefirst roller such that rotation of the first roller can cause the firstshaft to rotate; and a first generator that can be operably coupled tothe first shaft and that can be configured to: generate an electricaloutput based on the rotation of the first shaft; and convey theelectrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of thevehicle that can convert electrical energy to mechanical energy torotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

In some implementations, the apparatus can comprise: a second rollerthat can comprise a curved roller surface that can be configured to bepositioned in substantial physical contact with the sidewall surface ofthe first wheel. The second roller can be configured to rotate inresponse to a rotation of the first wheel. The first shaft can becoupled to the second roller such that rotation of the second roller cancause the first shaft to rotate. The first and second rollers can rotateabout an axis that is substantially orthogonal to an axis about whichthe first shaft rotates.

In some implementations, the first roller can comprise a first end and asecond end. The first end can be in closer physical proximity to an axisof rotation of the first wheel than the second end. The first shaft canbe coupled to the first end of the first roller.

In some implementations, the first roller can comprise: a first endhaving a first diameter size; and a second end having a second diametersize. The second diameter size can be greater than the first diametersize. The first end can be in closer physical proximity to an axis ofrotation of the first wheel than the second end.

In some implementations, the first shaft can be configured to rotate inresponse to a rotational inertia of the first shaft when the firstroller is not rotating.

In some implementations, the apparatus can exist in one of (1) anengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel can cause thefirst shaft to rotate to cause the generator to generate an electricaloutput and (2) a disengaged state in which the rotation of the firstwheel may not cause the first shaft to rotate.

In some implementations, the apparatus can be configured to transitionbetween the engaged state and the disengaged state automatically based,at least in part, in response to an energy demand of the motor of thevehicle or a rotational velocity of the first wheel.

The present disclosure provides a method for generating energy inresponse to a vehicle wheel rotation. The method can comprise, forexample, rotating a first roller in response to a rotation of a firstwheel of a vehicle. The first roller can comprise a curved rollersurface in substantial physical contact with a sidewall surface of thefirst wheel. The method can comprise, for example, rotating a firstshaft in response to a rotation of the first roller. The first shaft canbe coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the first rollercan cause the first shaft to rotate. The method can comprise, forexample, generating, via a generator, an electrical output based on therotation of the first shaft. The generator can be operably coupled tothe first shaft. The method can comprise, for example, conveying theelectrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of thevehicle that can convert electrical energy to mechanical energy torotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

In some implementations, the method can comprise, for example, rotatinga second roller in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The secondroller can comprise a curved roller surface in substantial physicalcontact with a sidewall surface of the first wheel. The method cancomprise, for example, rotating the first shaft in response to arotation of the second roller. The first shaft can be coupled to thesecond roller such that rotation of the second roller can cause thefirst shaft to rotate. The first and second rollers can rotate about anaxis that is substantially orthogonal to an axis about which the firstshaft rotates.

In some implementations, the first roller can comprise: a first endhaving a first diameter size; and a second end having a second diametersize. The second diameter size can be greater than the first diametersize and the first end can be in closer physical proximity to an axis ofrotation of the first wheel than the second end, and the first shaft canbe coupled to the first end of the first roller.

In some implementations, the apparatus can exist in one of (1) anengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel can cause thefirst shaft to rotate to cause the generator to generate an electricaloutput and (2) a disengaged state in which the rotation of the firstwheel may not cause the first shaft to rotate. The method can furthercomprise automatically transitioning between the engaged state and thedisengaged state based, at least in part, in response to an energydemand of the motor of the vehicle or a rotational velocity of the firstwheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anapparatus for generating energy in response to rotation of a wheel ofvehicle.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of theapparatus of FIG. 1A in a disengaged state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating that a roller of theapparatus can have various dimensions.

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams illustrating example embodiments ofthe apparatus comprising multiple rollers.

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic diagrams illustrating example embodiments ofthe apparatus implemented on multiple wheels of a vehicle.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of theapparatus comprising rollers implemented on a sidewall of a wheel of avehicle.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of theapparatus of FIG. 5A in a disengaged state.

FIGS. 6A-6B are schematic diagrams illustrating example embodiments ofthe apparatus comprising a shaft coupled to various portions of aroller.

FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of theapparatus on both sides of a wheel.

FIG. 7A-7B is a schematic diagram illustrating various sizes of a rollerof the apparatus implemented on a sidewall of a wheel.

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of aroller of the apparatus coupled to a shaft of the apparatus.

FIGS. 8A-8B are schematic diagrams illustrating example embodiments ofthe apparatus implemented on sidewalls of multiple wheels of a vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example embodiment of theapparatus comprising rollers between two adjacent wheels of a vehicle.

FIGS. 10A-10B are schematic diagrams illustrating example embodiments ofthe apparatus comprising rollers implemented on a sidewall surface andcurved surface of a wheel of a vehicle.

FIGS. 11A-11B is a diagram illustrating examples embodiments ofgenerators coupled to roller(s) of the apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example vehicle incorporating theapparatus, a generator and an energy storage device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of ahypercapacitor as an energy storage device.

FIGS. 14A-14J illustrate example vehicles incorporating the apparatus, agenerator, an energy storage device and a motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Example embodiments and implementations of an apparatus for generatingenergy (e.g., in response to the rotation of a wheel of a vehicle) aredescribed herein. The apparatus can be implemented in conjunction with avehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The vehicle can include a car, atruck, a semi-truck, a tractor-trailer, a tractor, farm equipment,construction equipment, carts, scooters, motorcycles, bicycles, trains,trams, and the like, for example. The apparatus can comprise one or morerollers configured to be rotatably couplable (e.g., removably coupledeither through direct physical contact or through indirect operablecoupling) to one or more wheels of a vehicle such that rotation of awheel of the vehicle causes rotation of the one or more rollers. The oneor more rollers can be rotatably coupled (either through direct physicalcontact or through indirect operable coupling) to one or moregenerators. The generators can be configured to generate energy (e.g.,an electrical output), in response to rotation of the one or morerollers. In some embodiments, the one or more rollers can be rotatablycoupled to the one or more generators via one or more shafts configuredto rotate in response to a rotation of the one or more rollers. In someembodiments, the one or more rollers can be rotatably coupled to the oneor more generators via one or more other mechanical coupling devicessuch as a chain, belt, gearing, pulley, sprocket and the like. In someembodiments, the one or more generators can provide generated energy(e.g., electrical output) to the vehicle. The electrical output that isprovided to the vehicle from the generator may be used to power thevehicle. For example, the electrical output may be conveyed to a motorof the vehicle and/or to an energy storage device of the vehicle forlater use and/or consumption by the vehicle.

Example Apparatus Embodiments and Implementations

Various example embodiments of an apparatus for generating energy aredescribed herein, for example, with reference to the figures. Thevarious embodiments and their implementations are given as examples andare not meant to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the structural and/or operational features described withreference to any of the example embodiments and/or figures are not meantto be limited to that embodiment and/or figure. Rather the structuraland/or operation features of the various embodiments and figures may beimplemented or otherwise combined in each of the various otherembodiments.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of an apparatus100 comprising a roller rotatably couplable to a wheel of a vehicle. Asshown in FIG. 1A, the apparatus 100 may comprise a roller 102, a shaft104 and a generator 106. The roller 102 may comprise a substantiallycylindrical shape comprising a length, a diameter, a curved surface anda center axis as described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2. Acurved surface of the roller 102 may be in substantial physical contactwith a curved surface of the wheel 101. The center axis of the roller102 may be substantially parallel to a center axis of the wheel 101. Theroller 102 may be configured to rotate about its center axis. The roller102 may be rotatably couplable to a wheel 101 of the vehicle such thatrotation of the wheel 101 causes rotation of the roller 102. The roller102 may rotate in an opposite direction than the wheel 101, for exampleas shown in FIG. 1A. The roller 102 may rotate at a greater rotationalvelocity than the wheel 101.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, the roller 102 may be rotatablycoupled to a shaft 104 such that rotation of the roller 102 can causerotation of the shaft 104. The shaft 104 may rotate about an axis thatis substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 102 and may rotatein a same direction as the roller 102, for example as shown in FIG. 1A.In some embodiments, the shaft 104 may be fixedly rotatably coupled tothe roller 102 such that the shaft 104 can only rotate when the roller102 rotates. In some embodiments, the shaft 104 may be configured torotate when the roller 102 is not rotating. For example, after a roller102 discontinues rotating, the shaft 104 may continue to rotate, forexample due to rotational inertia. For example, the roller 102 and/orshaft 104 may comprise a one-way ratchet device that causes the shaft104 to rotate when the roller 102 rotates and allows the shaft 104 tocontinue to rotate for a period of time even after the roller 102 stopsrotating. In some embodiments, the shaft 104 may be configured to notrotate when the roller 102 is rotating. For example, in a disengagedstate, as discussed in greater detail herein, the roller 102 may rotatein response to rotation of a vehicle wheel but may not cause rotation ofthe shaft 104 to generate energy at the generator 106.

The shaft 104 may be operably coupled to a generator 106. The generator106 may be configured to generate energy (e.g., an electrical output) inresponse to mechanical movement such as the rotation of the shaft 104.The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to the vehicle and mayprovide generated energy to the vehicle, for example to a motor of thevehicle and/or to an energy storage device of the vehicle that includesone or more batteries and/or capacitors (e.g., ultracapacitors) or oneor more hypercapacitors.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising a roller that is removably coupled to a wheel of avehicle. The apparatus 100 may exist in one of (1) an engaged state or(2) a disengaged state. In the engaged state, the roller 102 may be inphysical contact with the wheel 101 (e.g., rotatably coupled to thewheel 101) in which the rotation of the wheel 101 causes the roller 102to rotate. In some embodiments, in the disengaged state, the roller 102may not be in physical contact with the wheel 101 such that rotation ofthe wheel 101 does not cause the roller 102 to rotate. In someembodiments, in the disengaged state, the roller 102 may be in physicalcontact with the wheel 101 such that rotation of the wheel 101 causesthe roller 102 to rotate but the roller 102 may not be rotatably coupledto the shaft 104 such that rotation of the roller 102 does not cause theshaft 104 (or other similar component) to rotate to cause generation ofenergy at the generator 106.

FIG. 1B shows a roller 102 in an example disengaged state such that theroller 102 is not in physical contact with the wheel 101 and will notrotate in response to a rotation of the wheel 101. The roller 102 maytransition between the engaged and the disengaged states. In someembodiments, the roller 102 may transition between the engaged and thedisengaged states automatically, for example, based at least in part onan energy demand of the vehicle (e.g., an energy demand of a motor ofthe vehicle) and/or a rotational velocity of the wheel 101. In someembodiments, the roller 102 may transition between the engaged and thedisengaged states in response to a user input, such as a driver of thevehicle activating a user input device, such as a button, lever, orswitch.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a roller 102.As shown in FIG. 2, the roller 102 may comprise a length 213 and adiameter 211. The roller 102 may have any length 213 such as is requiredor desired. The roller 102 may have any diameter 211 such as is requiredor desired. The diameter 211 of the roller 102 may be less than thediameter of the wheel 101 such that the roller 102 rotates at a greaterrotational velocity than the wheel 101 in response to a rotation of thewheel 101. In some embodiments comprising multiple rollers, one, some oreach of the multiple rollers may have a length and/or diameter that isdifferent than the length and/or diameters of the other rollers.

In some embodiments, the roller 102 may be configured to change a sizeof diameter 211. In response to changing size of diameter 211, theroller 102 may rotate at various rotational velocities in response torotation of the wheel 101 at a single rotational velocity. In someembodiments, the roller 102 may be configured to change size of diameter211 automatically, for example, based at least in part on an energydemand of the vehicle (e.g., an energy demand of a motor of the vehicle)and/or a rotational velocity of the wheel 101.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising two rollers and two generators. As shown in FIG. 3A, theapparatus 100 may comprise a first roller 102 a, a first shaft 104 a, afirst generator 106 a, a second roller 102 b, a second shaft 104 b and asecond generator 106 b. The components of the example embodiment shownin FIG. 3A may comprise similar structural and/or operational featuresas described with reference to other embodiments described herein, forexample, the example embodiment of FIG. 1A. For example, the rotation ofthe wheel 101 may cause the rollers 102 a/102 b to rotate therebycausing shafts 104 a/104 b to rotate thereby causing the generators 106a/106 b to generator energy. FIG. 3A is not meant to be limiting of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus 100 may comprise any number ofrollers, shafts and/or generators as required and/or desired.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising two rollers and a generator. As shown in FIG. 3B, theapparatus 100 may comprise a first roller 102 a, a first shaft 104 a, afirst sprocket 105 a, a first coupling device 107 a, a second roller 102b, a second shaft 104 b, a second sprocket 105 b, a second couplingdevice 107 b, a third shaft 108 and generator 106. The components of theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 3B may comprise similar structuraland/or operational features as described with reference to otherembodiments described herein, for example FIG. 1A. The sprockets 105a/105 b may be rotatably coupled to the shafts 104 a/104 b and mayrotate in response to rotation of the shafts 104 a/104 b. The sprockets105 a/105 b may be rotatably coupled to a third shaft 108, for examplevia coupling devices 107 a/107 b as shown in FIG. 3B. The couplingdevices 107 a/107 b may comprise one or more of a chain, belt, gearing,pulley or the like. The third shaft 108 may be operably coupled to thegenerator 106 such that rotation of the third shaft 108 causes thegenerator to generate energy. Thus, the generator 106 may generateenergy in response to a rotation of the first and/or second rollers 102a/102 b.

In some embodiments, the third shaft 108 may rotate in response tosimultaneous rotations of the first and second rollers 102 a/102 b. Insome embodiments, the third shaft 108 may rotate in response to rotationof either the first or second rollers 102 a/102 b.

In some embodiments, the shafts 104 a/104 b may be fixedly rotatablycoupled to the sprockets 105 a/105 b such that the sprockets 105 a/105 bcan only rotate when the shafts 104 a/104 b rotate. In some embodiments,the sprockets 105 a/105 b may be configured to rotate when the shafts104 a/104 b are not rotating, for example, after the shafts 104 a/104 bdiscontinue rotating, the sprockets 105 a/105 b may continue to rotate,for example due to rotational inertia. For example, the shafts 104 a/104b and/or sprockets 105 a/105 b may comprise a one-way ratchet devicethat causes the sprockets 105 a/105 b to rotate when the shafts 104a/104 b rotate and allows the sprockets 105 a/105 b to continue torotate when the shafts 104 a/104 b are not rotating. The sprockets 105a/105 b and the third shaft 108 may comprise similar operational and/orstructural features to allow the third shaft 108 to rotate when one ormore of the sprockets 105 a/105 b are not rotating in some embodimentsor to cause the third shaft 108 to rotate only when the sprockets 105a/105 b are rotating in other embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 implemented with multiple wheels of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4A,the apparatus 100 may comprise a first roller 102 a rotatably couplableto a first wheel 101 a of a vehicle, a second roller 102 b rotatablycouplable to a second wheel 101 b of a vehicle. The components of theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 4A may comprise similar structuraland/or operational features as described with reference to otherembodiments described herein, for example, the example embodiment ofFIG. 1A. For example, rotation of the first and/or second rollers 102a/102 b may cause the generator 106 to generate energy.

FIG. 4A is not meant to be limiting of the present disclosure. Theapparatus 100 may comprise any number of rollers, shafts and/orgenerators as required and/or desired and may be implemented on anynumber of wheels of a vehicle as required or desired, for example onone, two, three or four wheels (for example, with reference toimplementation with a car) or 18 wheels (for example, with reference toimplementation with a semi-truck).

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 implemented with multiple wheels of a vehicle and comprisingmultiple generators. As shown in FIG. 4B, the apparatus 100 may comprisea first and second generator 106 a/106 b. The components of the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 4B may comprise similar structural and/oroperational features as described with reference to other embodimentsdescribed herein, for example, the example embodiment of FIG. 1A. Forexample, rotation of the first roller 102 a may cause the firstgenerator 106 a to generate energy and rotation of the second roller 102b may cause the generator 106 b to generate energy. The generators 106a/106 b may be in electrical communication with the vehicle and/or eachother.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising one or more rollers rotatably couplable to a sidewall ofa wheel of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5A, the apparatus 100 maycomprise one or more rollers 102, a shaft 104 and a generator 106. Eachof the one or more rollers 102 may comprise a substantially cylindricalshape and may further comprise a length, a diameter, a curved surfaceand a center axis as described in greater detail with reference to FIG.2 and/or FIGS. 7A-7B. A curved surface of each of the one more rollers102 may be in substantial physical contact with a sidewall surface ofthe wheel 101. The center axis of each of the one or more rollers 102may be substantially orthogonal to a center axis of the wheel 101. Eachof the one or more rollers 102 may be configured to rotate about itscenter axis. Each of the one or more rollers 102 may be rotatablycouplable to the wheel 101 of the vehicle such that rotation of thewheel 101 causes rotation of each of the one or more rollers 102. Eachof the one or more rollers 102 may rotate at a greater rotationalvelocity than the wheel 101.

The roller(s) 102 may be configured to be in physical contact with asidewall of the wheel 101 at any distance away from a center axis of thewheel. For example, the roller(s) 102 may be in physical contact with asidewall of the wheel 101 close to the center axis of the wheel or farfrom a center axis of the wheel. The roller(s) 102 may rotate at agreater rotational velocity when in physical contact with the sidewallof the wheel 101 far from a center axis of the wheel 101 than when inphysical contact with the sidewall of the wheel 101 near a center axisof the wheel 101.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the roller(s) 102 may be rotatablycoupled to a shaft 104 such that rotation of the roller(s) 102 causesrotation of the shaft 104. The roller 102 may be coupled (e.g.,rotatably coupled) to the shaft 104 for example via one or more couplingdevices as required or desired such as gears, sprockets, chains, belts,pulleys and the like. The shaft 104 may rotate about an axis that issubstantially orthogonal to the axes of the roller(s) 102. In someembodiments, the shaft 104 may be fixedly rotatably coupled to theroller(s) 102 such that the shaft 104 can only rotate when the roller(s)102 rotate. In some embodiments, the shaft 104 may be configured torotate when one or more of the roller(s) 102 is not rotating, forexample, after a roller 102 discontinues rotating, the shaft 104 maycontinue to rotate, for example due to rotational inertia. For example,the roller(s) 102 and/or shaft 104 may comprise a one-way ratchet devicethat causes the shaft 104 to rotate when the roller(s) 102 rotate andallows the shaft 104 to continue to rotate even when one of theroller(s) 102 is not rotating (e.g., has stopped rotating). In someembodiments, the shaft 104 may be configured to not rotate when one ormore of the roller(s) 102 are rotating. For example, in a disengagedstate, as discussed in greater detail herein, the roller(s) 102 mayrotate in response to rotation of a vehicle wheel but may not causerotation of the shaft 104 to generate energy at the generator 106.

The shaft 104 may be operably coupled to a generator 106. The generator106 may be configured to generate energy (e.g., an electrical output) inresponse to mechanical movement such as the rotation of the shaft 104.The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to the vehicle and mayprovide generated energy to the vehicle, for example to a motor of thevehicle and/or to an energy storage device of the vehicle that includesone or more batteries and/or capacitors (e.g., ultracapacitors) or oneor more hypercapacitors.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising one or more rollers that are removably coupled to asidewall of a wheel of a vehicle. The apparatus 100 may exist in one of(1) an engaged state or (2) a disengaged state. In the engaged state,the roller(s) 102 may be in physical contact with the wheel 101 (e.g.,rotatably coupled to a sidewall of the wheel 101) in which the rotationof the wheel 101 causes the roller(s) 102 to rotate. In someembodiments, in the disengaged state, the roller(s) 102 may not be inphysical contact with the wheel 101 such that rotation of the wheel 101does not cause the roller(s) 102 to rotate. In some embodiments, in thedisengaged state, the roller(s) 102 may be in physical contact with thewheel 101 such that rotation of the wheel 101 causes the roller(s) 102to rotate but the roller(s) 102 may not be rotatably coupled to theshaft 104 such that rotation of the roller(s) 102 does not cause theshaft 104 (or other similar component) to rotate to cause generation ofenergy at the generator 106.

FIG. 5B shows roller(s) 102 in an example disengaged state such that theroller(s) 102 are not in physical contact with the wheel 101 and willnot rotate in response to a rotation of the wheel 101. The roller(s) 102may transition between the engaged and the disengaged states. In someembodiments, the roller(s) 102 may transition between the engaged andthe disengaged states automatically, for example, based at least in parton an energy demand of the vehicle (e.g., an energy demand of a motor ofthe vehicle) and/or a rotational velocity of the wheel 101. In someembodiments, the roller(s) 102 may transition between the engaged andthe disengaged states in response to a user input, such as a driver ofthe vehicle toggling a user input device such as a button, switch orlever.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising a roller rotatably couplable to a sidewall of a wheel ofa vehicle. As shown in FIG. 6A, the apparatus 100 may comprise a singleroller 102 which may comprise similar structural and/or operationalfeatures as described with reference to other embodiments describedherein, for example, the example embodiments of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 comprising a roller. As shown in FIG. 6B, the apparatus 100 maycomprise a single roller 102 which may comprise similar structuraland/or operational features as described with reference to otherembodiments described herein, for example, the example embodiments ofFIG. 1 and/or FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 6B, the shaft 104 may berotatably coupled to either end of the roller 102. In some embodiments,a shaft may be rotatably coupled at both ends of a roller 102.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100. As shown in FIG. 6C, the apparatus 100 may comprise a roller 102 aon one side of a wheel 101 and a roller 102 b on an opposite side of thewheel 101. The rollers 102 a, 102 b can be configured to be rotatablycouplable to a sidewall portion of the wheel 101 and rotate in responseto a rotation of the wheel 101 as described herein. The apparatus 100may exist in one of (1) an engaged state or (2) a disengaged state andtransition between the two states as discussed herein, for example bychanging a physical location of the rollers 102 a, 102 b to physicallycontact or not physically contact the wheel 101.

The example embodiment of FIG. 6C can be implemented in a vehicle, forexample, in conjunction with a braking system of the vehicle. Forexample, a braking system of a vehicle may comprise a brake pad on oneside of wheel and a brake pad on an opposite side of the wheel. Thebrake pads may normally exist in a state wherein the brake pads are notin physical contact with the wheel. An operator of the vehicle may causeeach brake pad to physically contact their respective sides of the wheelto cause friction on the sidewall of the wheel to decelerate therotation of the wheel. As an example, the apparatus may be implementedwith a brake system such that the apparatus may normally exist in adisengaged state wherein the rollers 102 a, 102 b are not in physicalcontact with the wheel 101 and the brake pads are not in physicalcontact with the wheel 101. When braking is desired, and the brake padsare caused to contact the wheel 101, the rollers 102 a, 102 b may alsocontact the wheel 101 in an engaged state and thereby rotate in responseto a rotation of the wheel 101.

In some implementations, in the engaged state, the rollers 102 a, 102 bmay apply a friction force to the wheel 101 to decelerate the wheel 101.In some implementations, the apparatus 100 may replace a braking systemotherwise employed by the vehicle, such that when braking is desired,the rollers 102 a, 102 b of the apparatus transition to an engaged statethereby applying friction to the wheel 101 to decelerate the rotation ofwheel 101 while simultaneously rotating in response to a rotation of thewheel 101 to generate energy at the generator 106 until the wheel 101stops rotating.

The rotational inertia of the rollers 102 in the example embodiment ofFIG. 6C and other examples herein can be changed for example increasedor decreased. Increasing the rotational inertia of the rollers can causemore or less friction to be applied to the wheel 101 and also cause moreor less energy to be generated at the generator 106. For example, moreenergy would be required to rotate a roller 102 with a high rotationalinertia than would be required to rotate a roller 102 with lessrotational inertia. Thus, a roller 102 with high rotational inertiacould more quickly decelerate the rotation of the wheel 101 whilesimultaneously causing more energy to be generated at the generator 106than a roller with lower rotational inertia. For example, whenacceleration or a constant speed of the vehicle is desired, therotational inertia of the roller(s) 102 may be low to apply lessfriction to the wheel 101 (which may thereby cause less energy to begenerated at the generator 106) and when deceleration of the vehicle isdesired (e.g., stopping), the rotational inertia of the roller(s) 102may be high to apply more friction to the wheel 101 (which may therebycause more energy to be generated at the generator 106). Thus, for anygiven desired mode of operation of the vehicle (e.g., acceleration,deceleration) a maximum energy may be generated at the generator 106 bychanging a rotational inertia of the rollers 102.

In some implementations, the rotational inertia of the rollers 102 canchange automatically for example in response to an energy demand of themotor of the vehicle, a rotational velocity of the wheel, and/or desiredbraking etc. In some implementations, the rotational inertia of therollers can change in response to a manual user input. The rotationalinertia of the roller 102 can be changed by changing a state of theroller 102, the shaft 104 (or other coupling device), and/or changing astate of the generator 106.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a roller. Asshown in FIG. 2, the roller 102 may comprise a length 713 and a diameter711. The roller 102 may have any length 713 such as is required ordesired. The roller 102 may have any diameter 711 such as is required ordesired. The diameter 711 of the roller 102 may be less than thediameter of the wheel 101 such that the roller 102 rotates at a greaterrotational velocity than the wheel 101 in response to a rotation of thewheel 101. In some embodiments comprising multiple rollers, one, some oreach of the multiple rollers may have a length and/or diameter that isdifferent than the lengths and/or diameters of the other rollers.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a roller. Asshown in FIG. 7B, the roller 102 may comprise a diameter that varies insize along a length of the roller 102. For example, one end of theroller 102 may comprise a diameter 711 a of a first size and the otherend of the roller 102 may comprise a diameter 711 b of a second sizethat is different than the diameter 711 a. A roller 102 having adiameter that varies in size along a length of the roller 102 mayfacilitate the rotation of the roller 102 in response to a rotation ofthe wheel 101.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100. As shown in FIG. 7C, the apparatus 100 may comprise a roller shaft703 rotatably coupled to the roller 102 and the shaft 104. The rollershaft 703 may not be in physical contact with the wheel 103. The rollershaft 703 may be any length to allow the roller 102 to be in contactwith a sidewall of the wheel 101 at any distance away from a center axisof the wheel 101.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 implemented with multiple wheels of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 8A,the apparatus 100 may comprise one or more first rollers 102 a rotatablycouplable to a first wheel 101 a of a vehicle and one or more secondrollers (not shown) rotatably couplable to a second wheel 101 b of thevehicle. The components of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 4A maycomprise similar structural and/or operational features as describedwith reference to other embodiments described herein, for example, theexample embodiment of FIGS. 5A. For example, rotation of the one or morefirst rollers 102 a and/or rotation of the one or more second rollers(not shown) may cause the generator 106 to generate energy.

FIG. 8A is not meant to be limiting of the present disclosure. Theapparatus 100 may comprise any number of rollers, shafts and/orgenerators as required and/or desired and may be implemented on anynumber of wheels of a vehicle as required or desired, for example onone, two, three or four wheels (for example with reference toimplementation with a car) or 18 wheels (for example with reference toimplementation with a semi-truck).

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 implemented with multiple wheels of a vehicle and comprisingmultiple generators. As shown in FIG. 8B, the apparatus 100 may comprisea first and second generator 106 a/106 b. The components of the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 8B may comprise similar structural and/oroperational features as described with reference to other embodimentsdescribed herein, for example, the example embodiment of FIG. 5A. Forexample, rotation of the one or more first rollers 102 a may cause thefirst generator 106 a to generate energy and rotation of the one or moresecond rollers (not shown) may cause the generator 106 b to generateenergy. The generators 106 a/106 b may be in electrical communicationwith the vehicle and/or each other.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the apparatus100 implemented between two wheels. As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus100 may comprise a first roller 102 a and a second roller 102 b locatedbetween two wheels 101 a/101 b such as two adjacent wheels on a truck,van, semi-truck, tractor-trailer and the like. The first roller 102 amay be in physical contact with a sidewall surface of the first wheel101 a and configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the firstwheel 101 a. The second roller 102 b may be in physical contact with asidewall surface of the second wheel 101 b and configured to rotate inresponse to a rotation of the second wheel 101 b. The first and secondrollers 102 a/102 b may be coupled to each other (e.g., rotatablycoupled) via one or more coupling devices such as a shaft as shown inFIG. 9 and/or any other coupling device as required or desired such asgears, sprockets, chains, belts, pulleys and the like.

The first roller 102 a and/or second roller 102 b may be coupled (e.g.,rotatably coupled) to a shaft 104 for example via one or more couplingdevice such as a shaft as shown in FIG. 9 and/or any other couplingdevice as required or desired such as gears, sprockets, chains, belts,pulleys and the like. The shaft 104 may be configured to rotate inresponse to a rotation of the first roller 102 a and/or second roller102 b. The shaft 104 may be operably coupled to a generator 106 and thegenerator 106 may be configured to generate energy (e.g., electricaloutput) in response to a rotation of the shaft 104 as describedelsewhere herein.

FIG. 9 is given as an example and is not meant to be limiting. In someembodiments, the apparatus 100 may comprise any number of rollers, forexample one roller or more than two rollers. Furthermore, the rollers102 a/102 b shown in example FIG. 9 may be arranged with any orientationbetween their respective axes of rotation, as required or desired. Forexample, the respective axes of rotation of rollers 102 a/102 b may besubstantially parallel, as shown in FIG. 9, or may be substantiallyorthogonal or may be oriented in any other was as required or desired.Additionally, the rollers 102 a/102 b may be configured to rotateindependently of each other such that one roller may rotate while theother does not or may be configured to be fixedly rotatably coupled toeach other such that one roller may not rotate without the other rolleralso rotating.

FIG. 10A is a diagram of an example embodiment of the apparatus 100comprising various configurations of rollers and multiple generators. Asshown in FIG. 10A, the apparatus 100 may comprise one or more firstrollers 102 a, a first shaft 104 a, a first generator 106 a and one ormore second rollers 102 b, a second shaft 104 b and a second generator106 b. The example apparatus 100 of FIG. 10A and its various componentsmay operate in a manner similar to that described in other exampleembodiments herein such as with reference to FIG. 1A and/or FIG. 5A, forexample.

FIG. 10B is a diagram of an example embodiment of the apparatus 100comprising various configurations of rollers and a single generator. Asshown in FIG. 10B, the apparatus 100 may comprise one or more firstrollers 102 a, a first shaft 104 a, a first sprocket 105 a, a firstcoupling device 107 a, a third shaft 108 and a generator 106. Theapparatus 100 may further comprise one or more second rollers 102 b, asecond shaft 104 b, a second sprocket 105 b, and a second couplingdevice 107 b. The example apparatus 100 of FIG. 10B and its variouscomponents may operate in a manner similar to that described in otherexample embodiments herein such as with reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 5A,and/or FIG. 3B, for example.

Example Energy Generation and Storage Systems

FIG. 11A is a diagram of two generators 106 a and 106 b configured to bemechanically coupled to roller(s) and that convert mechanical rotationof roller(s) 102 into electrical energy outputs, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the generators 106 a/106 bmay be replaced with alternators or similar electricity generatingdevices. The generators 106 a/106 b can be mechanically coupled toroller(s) via one or more of a shaft, linkage, gear, pulley, chain,belt, sprocket or other similar mechanism or device. The exampleembodiment of FIG. 11A illustrates the generator 106 b as mechanicallycoupled to roller(s) 102 via at least a chain 1101. The chain 1101 mayrotate, in response to rotation of the roller(s) 102, causing acorresponding rotor of the generator 106 b to rotate and causing thegenerator 106 b to generate an electrical energy output via a cable (notshown in this figure). In some embodiments, the two generators 106 a/106b may be replaced by any number of generators 106, from a singlegenerator to many generators. In some embodiments, the generators 106may generate AC electricity or DC electricity, depending on theapplication. When the generators 106 generate AC power, an AC-to-DCconverter may be used to condition and convert the generated electricityfor storage. When the generators 106 generate DC power, a DC-to-DCconverter may be used to condition the generated electricity forstorage.

FIG. 11B is an alternate view of the two generators 106 a/106 b of FIG.11A and cabling 1103 a and 1103 b that couples the generators 106 a/106b to a charger (e.g., a battery and/or capacitor charger) and/or to anenergy storage device such as a battery and/or capacitor. The chargermay comprise one or more other components or circuits used to rectify orotherwise condition the electricity generated by the generators 106a/106 b. For example, the one or more other components or circuits maycomprise one or more of a matching circuit, an inverter circuit, aconditioning circuit, a rectifying circuit, a conversion circuit, and soforth. The matching circuit may match conditions of a load to the source(for example, impedance matching, and so forth). The conversion circuitmay comprise a circuit that converts an alternating current (AC) signalto a direct current (DC) signal, a DC/DC conversion circuit, a DC/ACconversion circuit and so forth. The conditioning circuit may conditiona signal input into the conditioning circuit, and the rectifying circuitmay rectify signals.

Additional details regarding FIGS. 11A-11B can be found in at leastparagraphs [0080]-[0099] of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/332,824,which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example vehicle 1200 incorporating anapparatus 100 comprising roller(s) 102, a generator 106, as well as anenergy storage device 1203 electrically coupled with the generator 106.Energy generated at the generator 106, in response to a rotation of theroller(s) 102 can be provided to the energy storage device 1203. Theenergy storage device 1203 can comprise one or more batteries 1202and/or one or more capacitor modules 1204. The energy storage device1203 may comprise the one or more capacitor modules 1204 as asupplemental and/or intermediate energy storage device. In someembodiments, the capacitor modules 1204 are disposed alongside the oneor more batteries 1202. The capacitor modules 1204 and the battery 1202can be electrically coupled to at least a motor of the vehicle, such asan electric motor.

In some embodiments, the capacitor modules 1204 may be used incombination with the battery 1202. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, thevehicle 1200 may include one or more the capacitor modules 1204installed alongside the battery 1202. In some embodiments, the vehicle1200 includes a plurality of capacitor modules 1204. In someembodiments, one or more batteries 1202 are replaced with one or morecapacitor modules 1204. As shown, the capacitor modules 1204 may beconnected in series or in parallel with the battery 1202, dependent onthe use case. For example, the capacitor modules 1204 may be connectedin series or parallel with the battery 1202 when supplementing thevoltage in the battery 1202 or when charging the battery 1202 and/or thecapacitor modules 1204. Therefore, the battery 1202 and the capacitormodules 1204 may provide voltage support to each other. As such, thecapacitor modules 1204 may provide supplemental energy when the battery1202 are discharged or be used in place of the battery 1202 altogether.

In some embodiments, the energy storage device 1203 may comprise one ormore hypercapacitors. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a diagram of anexample embodiment of a hypercapacitor 1302 for storing energy (e.g.,such as may be used in an electric vehicle), which may also be referredto as a hypercapacitor energy storage system or device. As shown, thehypercapacitor 1302 may comprise or consist essentially of anultracapacitor portion 1304, an energy retainer portion 1306, one ormore inbound diodes 1308, and one or more outbound diodes 1310. In someembodiments, the hypercapacitor 1302 may not comprise the inbound diode1308 and/or the outbound diode 1310.

The ultracapacitor portion 1304 may be electrically coupled to theenergy retainer portion 1306 and in some embodiments, together maycomprise a single integrated unit or package (e.g., the hypercapacitor1302). The ultracapacitor portion 1304 may provide energy to the energyretainer portion 1306 as the energy in the energy retainer portion 1306is depleted (for example resulting from an energy demand at a load).

The electrical connection between the ultracapacitor portion 1304 andthe energy retainer portion 1306 may stabilize the voltage levels of theultracapacitor portion 1304 and prevent self-discharge as the energyretainer portion 1306 retains energy provided from the ultracapacitorportion 1304 via their electrical connection. Advantageously,stabilizing the voltage levels in the ultracapacitor portion 1304 byreducing and/or substantially eliminating self-discharge provides asuperior energy device capable of storing energy (e.g., maintaining highvoltage levels) for much longer than existing energy devices inwidespread use today.

The ultracapacitor portion 1304 of the hypercapacitor 1302 may compriseone or more ultracapacitors and/or supercapacitors. The ultracapacitorportion 1304 may incorporate structural and operational featuresdescribed in connection with any of the embodiments of the capacitormodule 1204 described herein.

The energy retainer portion 1306 may comprise a device or multipledevices capable of storing energy such as a battery, a battery fieldand/or a capacitor. For example, in some embodiments the energy retainerportion 1306 may include a battery such as the battery 1202 describedherein and may incorporate structural and operational features of thebattery 1202. In some embodiments, the energy retainer portion 1306 mayinclude a battery field such as a battery field comprising batteries1202 such as shown in FIG. 12. In some embodiments, the energy retainerportion 1306 may comprise one or more capacitors, such as the capacitormodule 1204 described herein.

Additional details regarding FIG. 13 can be found in at least paragraphs[0211]-[0246] of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/332,824, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 14A illustrates an example farm equipment such as a tractor thatmay incorporate the various components and systems discussed herein suchas the apparatus 100, which may comprise a generator 106 and one or morerollers 102 rotatably couplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as amotor 1401, such as an electric motor, and an energy storage device 1203which may comprise a capacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or ahypercapacitor 1302, as discussed herein. The generator 106 may beelectrically coupled to the energy storage device 1203 and may becapable of providing energy to the energy storage device 1203, asdiscussed herein. The energy storage device 1203 may be electricallycoupled to the motor 1401 and may be capable of providing energy to themotor 1401.

FIG. 14B illustrates an example construction equipment that mayincorporate the various components and systems discussed herein such asthe apparatus 100, which may comprise a generator 106 and one or morerollers 102 rotatably couplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as amotor 1401, such as an electric motor, and an energy storage device 1203which may comprise a capacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or ahypercapacitor 1302, as discussed herein. The generator 106 may beelectrically coupled to the energy storage device 1203 and may becapable of providing energy to the energy storage device 1203, asdiscussed herein. The energy storage device 1203 may be electricallycoupled to the motor 1401 and may be capable of providing energy to themotor 1401.

FIG. 14C illustrates an example commercial vehicle such as atractor-trailer or semi-truck that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14D illustrates an example bus that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14E illustrates an example train that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14F illustrates an example bicycle that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14G illustrates an example scooter that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14H illustrates an example tram that may incorporate the variouscomponents and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus 100, whichmay comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102 rotatablycouplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401, such as anelectric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which may comprise acapacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302, asdiscussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled to theenergy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy to theenergy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

FIG. 14I illustrates an example cart such as a golf cart that mayincorporate the various components and systems discussed herein such asthe apparatus 100, which may comprise a generator 106 and one or morerollers 102 rotatably couplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as amotor 1401, such as an electric motor, and an energy storage device 1203which may comprise a capacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or ahypercapacitor 1302, as discussed herein. The generator 106 may beelectrically coupled to the energy storage device 1203 and may becapable of providing energy to the energy storage device 1203, asdiscussed herein. The energy storage device 1203 may be electricallycoupled to the motor 1401 and may be capable of providing energy to themotor 1401.

FIG. 14J illustrates an example motorcycle that may incorporate thevarious components and systems discussed herein such as the apparatus100, which may comprise a generator 106 and one or more rollers 102rotatably couplable to a wheel of the vehicle, as well as a motor 1401,such as an electric motor, and an energy storage device 1203 which maycomprise a capacitor 1204, a battery 1202 and/or a hypercapacitor 1302,as discussed herein. The generator 106 may be electrically coupled tothe energy storage device 1203 and may be capable of providing energy tothe energy storage device 1203, as discussed herein. The energy storagedevice 1203 may be electrically coupled to the motor 1401 and may becapable of providing energy to the motor 1401.

Additional Embodiments

As used herein, “system,” “instrument,” “apparatus,” and “device”generally encompass both the hardware (for example, mechanical andelectronic) and, in some implementations, associated software (forexample, specialized computer programs for graphics control) components.

It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantagesmay be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment describedherein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize thatcertain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in thepreceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automatedby, code modules executed by one or more computer systems or computerprocessors including computer hardware. The code modules may be storedon any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or computerstorage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, optical disc,and/or the like. The systems and modules may also be transmitted asgenerated data signals (for example, as part of a carrier wave or otheranalog or digital propagated signal) on a variety of computer-readabletransmission mediums, including wireless-based and wired/cable-basedmediums, and may take a variety of forms (for example, as part of asingle or multiplexed analog signal, or as multiple discrete digitalpackets or frames). The processes and algorithms may be implementedpartially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results ofthe disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently orotherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, forexample, volatile or non-volatile storage.

Many other variations than those described herein will be apparent fromthis disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, certain acts,events, or functions of any of the algorithms described herein can beperformed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left outaltogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessaryfor the practice of the algorithms). Moreover, in certain embodiments,acts or events can be performed concurrently, for example, throughmulti-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processorsor processor cores or on other parallel architectures, rather thansequentially. In addition, different tasks or processes can be performedby different machines and/or computing systems that can functiontogether.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and algorithm elementsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and elementshave been described herein generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the disclosure.

The various features and processes described herein may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method or processblocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processesdescribed herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, andthe blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in othersequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or statesmay be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, ormultiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state.The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, orin some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed fromthe disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and componentsdescribed herein may be configured differently than described. Forexample, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged comparedto the disclosed example embodiments.

The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented orperformed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (“DSP”), an application specific integrated circuit(“ASIC”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller,microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or thelike. A processor can include electrical circuitry configured to processcomputer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processorincludes an FPGA or other programmable devices that performs logicoperations without processing computer-executable instructions. Aprocessor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices,for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. Although described hereinprimarily with respect to digital technology, a processor may alsoinclude primarily analog components. For example, some, or all, of thesignal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented inanalog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computingenvironment can include any type of computer system, including, but notlimited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframecomputer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, adevice controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, toname a few.

The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module stored in one or more memory devices andexecuted by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. Asoftware module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, media, or physical computer storage known in the art. An examplestorage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processorcan read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor.The storage medium can be volatile or nonvolatile. The processor and thestorage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium canreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, and so forth,may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (for example, X, Y,and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to,and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one ofX, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” shouldgenerally be interpreted to include one or more described items.Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended toinclude one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devicescan also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations.For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B andC” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation Aworking in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry outrecitations B and C.

All of the methods and processes described herein may be embodied in,and partially or fully automated via, software code modules executed byone or more general purpose computers. For example, the methodsdescribed herein may be performed by the computing system and/or anyother suitable computing device. The methods may be executed on thecomputing devices in response to execution of software instructions orother executable code read from a tangible computer readable medium. Atangible computer readable medium is a data storage device that canstore data that is readable by a computer system. Examples of computerreadable mediums include read-only memory, random-access memory, othervolatile or non-volatile memory devices, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, flashdrives, and optical data storage devices.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are tobe understood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure. The section headings used herein aremerely provided to enhance readability and are not intended to limit thescope of the embodiments disclosed in a particular section to thefeatures or elements disclosed in that section. The foregoingdescription details certain embodiments. It will be appreciated,however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, thesystems and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedherein, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the systems and methods shouldnot be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein tobe restricted to including any specific characteristics of the featuresor aspects of the systems and methods with which that terminology isassociated.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information, messages,and signals may be represented using any of a variety of differenttechnologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands,information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referencedthroughout the above description may be represented by voltages,currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, opticalfields or particles, or any combination thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for generating energy in response toa vehicle wheel rotation, the apparatus comprising: a first rollercomprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned insubstantial physical contact with a curved wheel surface of a firstwheel of the vehicle, and wherein the first roller is configured torotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel; a first shaftcoupled to the first roller such that rotation of the first rollercauses the first shaft to rotate; and a first generator operably coupledto the first shaft and configured to: generate an electrical outputbased on the rotation of the first shaft; and convey the electricaloutput to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle thatconverts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or morewheels of the vehicle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a second roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to bepositioned in substantial physical contact with the curved wheel surfaceof the first wheel and wherein the second roller is configured to rotatein response to a rotation of the first wheel; and a second shaft coupledto the second roller such that rotation of the second roller causes thesecond shaft to rotate, and wherein the first generator is operablycoupled to the second shaft and configured to generate an electricaloutput based on the rotation of the second shaft.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a second roller comprising a curved rollersurface configured to make substantial physical contact with the curvedwheel surface of the first wheel of the vehicle and wherein the secondroller is configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the firstwheel; a second shaft coupled to the second roller such that rotation ofthe second roller causes the second shaft to rotate; and a secondgenerator operably coupled to the second shaft and configured to:generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the second shaft;and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to amotor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanicalenergy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a second roller comprising a curved rollersurface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact witha curved wheel surface of a second wheel of the vehicle and wherein thesecond roller is configured to rotate in response to a rotation of thesecond wheel; and a second shaft coupled to the second roller such thatrotation of the second roller causes the second shaft to rotate, andwherein the first generator is operably coupled to the second shaft andconfigured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of thesecond shaft.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a secondroller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned insubstantial physical contact with a curved wheel surface of a secondwheel of the vehicle and wherein the second roller is configured torotate in response to a rotation of the second wheel; a second shaftcoupled to the second roller such that rotation of the second rollercauses the second shaft to rotate; and a second generator operablycoupled to the second shaft and configured to: generate an electricaloutput based on the rotation of the second shaft; and convey theelectrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of thevehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotateone or more wheels of the vehicle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first roller is configured to change diameter such that the firstroller is configured to rotate at one or more rotational velocities inresponse to a rotational velocity of the first wheel.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first roller is configured to change arotational inertia.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatusexists in one of (1) an engaged state in which the rotation of the firstwheel causes the first shaft to rotate to cause the generator togenerate an electrical output and (2) a disengaged state in which therotation of the first wheel does not cause the first shaft to rotate. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured totransition between the engaged state and the disengaged stateautomatically based, at least in part, in response to an energy demandof the motor of the vehicle or a rotational velocity of the first wheel.10. An apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheelrotation, the apparatus comprising: a first roller comprising a curvedroller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physicalcontact with a sidewall surface of a first wheel of the vehicle andwherein the first roller is configured to rotate in response to arotation of the first wheel; a first shaft coupled to the first rollersuch that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate;and a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft and configuredto: generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the firstshaft; and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device orto a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanicalenergy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising: a second roller comprising a curved rollersurface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact withthe sidewall surface of the first wheel, and wherein the second rolleris configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel;wherein the first shaft is coupled to the second roller such thatrotation of the second roller causes the first shaft to rotate; andwherein the first and second rollers rotate about an axis that issubstantially orthogonal to an axis about which the first shaft rotates.12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first roller comprises afirst end and a second end, the first end being in closer physicalproximity to an axis of rotation of the first wheel than the second endand wherein the first shaft is coupled to the first end of the firstroller.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first rollercomprises: a first end having a first diameter size; and a second endhaving a second diameter size, the second diameter size being greaterthan the first diameter size, and wherein the first end is in closerphysical proximity to an axis of rotation of the first wheel than thesecond end.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first shaft isconfigured to rotate in response to a rotational inertia of the firstshaft when the first roller is not rotating.
 15. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the apparatus exists in one of (1) an engaged state in whichthe rotation of the first wheel causes the first shaft to rotate tocause the generator to generate an electrical output and (2) adisengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel does not causethe first shaft to rotate.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theapparatus is configured to transition between the engaged state and thedisengaged state automatically based, at least in part, in response toan energy demand of the motor of the vehicle or a rotational velocity ofthe first wheel.
 17. A method for generating energy in response to avehicle wheel rotation, the method comprising: rotating a first rollerin response to a rotation of a first wheel of a vehicle, the firstroller comprising a curved roller surface in substantial physicalcontact with a sidewall surface of the first wheel; rotating a firstshaft in response to a rotation of the first roller, the first shaftbeing coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the first rollercauses the first shaft to rotate; generating, via a generator, anelectrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft, thegenerator being operably coupled to the first shaft; and conveying theelectrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of thevehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotateone or more wheels of the vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: rotating a second roller in response to a rotation of thefirst wheel, the second roller comprising a curved roller surface insubstantial physical contact with a sidewall surface of the first wheel;and rotating the first shaft in response to a rotation of the secondroller, the first shaft being coupled to the second roller such thatrotation of the second roller causes the first shaft to rotate, andwherein the first and second rollers rotate about an axis that issubstantially orthogonal to an axis about which the first shaft rotates.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first roller comprises: a firstend having a first diameter size; and a second end having a seconddiameter size, the second diameter size being greater than the firstdiameter size, wherein the first end is in closer physical proximity toan axis of rotation of the first wheel than the second end, and whereinthe first shaft is coupled to the first end of the first roller.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the apparatus exists in one of (1) anengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel causes the firstshaft to rotate to cause the generator to generate an electrical outputand (2) a disengaged state in which the rotation of the first wheel doesnot cause the first shaft to rotate, and wherein the method furthercomprises automatically transitioning between the engaged state and thedisengaged state based, at least in part, in response to an energydemand of the motor of the vehicle or a rotational velocity of the firstwheel.